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National Geographic Society Names Babak Tafreshi and Ami Vitale Explorers at Large
Serving as ambassadors for the Society and mentors to its global community of Explorers, the two renowned photographers will build on their work at the intersection of world-class artistry and impact-driven storytelling
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 11, 2026) – Today, the National Geographic Society announced that acclaimed photographers Babak Tafreshi and Ami Vitale have been awarded the distinguished title of National Geographic Explorers at Large.
This prestigious role is reserved for established luminaries uniquely positioned to serve as global ambassadors, changemakers and mentors in support of the Society’s enduring mission: to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world.
In their new capacity, Tafreshi and Vitale will help the vital work of the Society’s extensive global community of National Geographic Explorers reach broader audiences and receive enhanced resources and support to significantly scale their influential storytelling projects. The Society’s Explorer community includes trailblazing scientists, conservationists, educators and storytellers who are pioneering bold and innovative ideas to address the planet’s most urgent and pressing issues.
“What makes Babak and Ami exceptional is the empathy they bring to every frame. They have a gift for making the vast feel intimate and the distant feel urgent, whether it’s the majesty of a shared night sky or the resilience of a species on the brink,” said Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO of the National Geographic Society. “As Explorers at Large, they will be ambassadors for our mission, mentoring the next generation as they tell purpose-driven stories that inspire people to care and act.”
Babak Tafreshi is an Iranian-American science photojournalist and cinematographer with a deep passion for documenting the night sky. For nearly 30 years, Tafreshi’s images of the “eternal roof above us” have reconnected humanity with the natural world, demystified science for the public and inspired connections across space and time.
Tafreshi’s stunning imagery not only captures the beauty and power of the night sky, but also exposes the environmental toll of light pollution. His current project, “Life at Night Atlas,” illustrates how artificial light is changing ecosystems while inspiring a public interest in night sky conservation.
A National Geographic magazine contributor since 2012, Tafreshi is a strong believer that despite our differences, we are all one humankind under a shared night sky. That belief shines through his impressive body of work, for which he was recognized as one of the Society’s 2022 Wayfinder Award recipients in addition to receiving the 2022 Royal Photographic Society Award and the 2009 Lennart Nilsson Award. As an Explorer, Tafreshi collaborates with fellow photographers to bridge art and science, culture and nature, and conservation and exploration through visual storytelling.
Uapishka Station, Canada, October 2024–National Geographic photographerand Explorer at LargeBabak Tafreshion assignment in northern Quebec, with Comet C/2023A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) streaming in the night sky above.
Photo byRussell Laman/National Geographic
“From the moment I first looked through a telescope, I’ve been fascinated by the beauty, power and wonder of our world, and have dedicated my life to protecting it,” said Tafreshi. “I hope to foster that same sense of curiosity, connection and care as an Explorer at Large. Taking on this expanded role is an exciting and deeply rewarding opportunity to strengthen the storytelling capacity of our exceptional community of Explorers.”
A long exposure image reveals star trails, due to the Earth rotation, above the Great Smoky.
Photo by Babak Tafreshi/National Geographic
Tafreshi is joined by award-winning photographer, writer and filmmaker Ami Vitale, whose work bears witness to the profound connections between people, wildlife and the natural world. Over the course of her career, Vitale has documented global conflicts and some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from civil unrest to the extinction crisis.
Guided by her philosophy of “living the story,” Vitale has worked in more than 100 countries, often embedded for years at a time, allowing her to cultivate meaningful trust with the communities and subjects she documents. A National Geographic magazine contributor since 2008 and an Explorer since 2017, her work consistently reveals the resilience of both nature and the human spirit, reminding us that our fates are deeply intertwined. This major thematic focus has brought empathy and humanity to wildlife and conservation issues, and demonstrates a long-standing commitment to storytelling for impact and community building.
National Geographic Explorer at Large Ami Vitale in flood water in the village of Balagonj, Bangladesh, 2010.
Photo courtesy of Ami Vitale
Vitale’s commitment to empathy, long-term collaboration and community-centered storytelling also extends to her work supporting emerging environmental storytellers around the world. As an Explorer at Large, Vitale will further build mentorship pathways and resources for environmental journalists, helping advance their photography and storytelling skills in service of the Society’s mission.
“Storytelling has never been just about taking pictures,” said Vitale. “It’s about listening, building relationships and recognizing that we are all connected, to each other and to the natural world. I’ve seen how images can open hearts and create understanding, and I feel a responsibility to help others tell stories that don’t just inform, but foster care, accountability and hope for the future we share.”
One of Vitale’s most poignant dispatches for National Geographic includes an emotionally moving recounting of the lessons she learned about humans and nature while documenting the death of Sudan, the last male northern white rhino. Her most recent story, published in December 2025, chronicled the 2,000-mile journey of one of the most endangered horse species — Przewalski’s horses — to help reintroduce them to their natural habitat and ancestral home in central Kazakhstan.
Joseph Wachira comforts Sudan, the last male northern white rhino on the planet moments before he passed away. This photo was the cover of the October 2019 issue of National Geographic Magazine.
Photo courtesy of Ami Vitale
Tafreshi and Vitale join a celebrated group of Explorers at Large, including oceanographers Bob Ballard and Sylvia Earle, paleontologist Louise Leakey, art curator Azu Nwagbogu, forest canopy researcher Nalini Nadkarni, and ecologist Rodrigo Medellín.
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About The National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas, providing more than 15,000 grants for work across all seven continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences, stories and content.
To learn more, visit www.nationalgeographic.org or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
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